Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com Autoblog http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/feedlogo.gif Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com en-us Copyright 2013 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[GM will increase Volt production by 50% - to 45,000 units - in 2012]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2010/07/30/gm-will-increase-volt-production-by-50-to-45-000-units-in-2/http://www.autoblog.com/2010/07/30/gm-will-increase-volt-production-by-50-to-45-000-units-in-2/http://www.autoblog.com/2010/07/30/gm-will-increase-volt-production-by-50-to-45-000-units-in-2/#comments
President Obama toured the General Motors' Detroit-Hamtramck facility where the automaker will build (can we say "is building" yet?) the Chevrolet Volt today, and as any good PR person will surely agree, you can't let an opportunity like that go by without making an announcement of some sort. So, GM has something to say and it's big news, too: GM will increase Volt production capacity by 50 percent in 2012.

Details are as follows: Instead of making 30,000 Volts in the U.S. in 2012, GM will now make 45,000. These numbers are lower than production numbers we heard rumors of in years past, but they're good news for fans of plug-in vehicles. Is the increase a response to positive reaction to the Volt's $33,500 after-tax-rebate price tag? Maybe, GM said in a statement that, "In the past few weeks, more than 25,000 people have joined the Chevrolet Volt enthusiast list."

The news is good for the President, too, since the White House is pushing The American Auto Industry: A Comeback Story message this week. Part of that is an interactive version of the White House map showing places where the government has supported automakers, which you can find here.


Gallery: 2011 Chevrolet Volt


[Sources: General Motors, WhiteHouse.gov]

Continue reading GM will increase Volt production by 50% - to 45,000 units - in 2012

GM will increase Volt production by 50% - to 45,000 units - in 2012 originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 30 Jul 2010 14:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>auto bailoutauto bailoutsAutoBailoutAutoBailoutsbreakingchevy voltchevy volt productionChevyVoltChevyVoltProductionchrysler bailoutChryslerBailoute-reverevgmgm bailoutGmBailouthamtramckHamtramck detroit gmhamtramck voltHamtramckDetroitGmHamtramckVoltobamaObama AdministrationObamaAdministrationvoltvolt evvolt hybridvolt productionVoltEvVoltHybridVoltProductionFri, 30 Jul 2010 14:29:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19575378/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2010/07/30/gm-will-increase-volt-production-by-50-to-45-000-units-in-2/19575378/article-detail.xml 19575378 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/07/auto-industry-future-map-630_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/07/auto-industry-future-map-630.jpg <![CDATA[BREAKING: 10,000 Chevrolet Volts in 2011, 30,000 in 2012]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2010/07/01/breaking-10-000-chevrolet-volts-in-2011-30-000-in-2012/http://www.autoblog.com/2010/07/01/breaking-10-000-chevrolet-volts-in-2011-30-000-in-2012/http://www.autoblog.com/2010/07/01/breaking-10-000-chevrolet-volts-in-2011-30-000-in-2012/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

2011 Chevrolet Volt - Click above for high-res image gallery

During a live video webchat this afternoon, Tony DiSalle, marketing director for the Chevrolet Volt, announced the production volumes for the first two years. General Motors plans to build 10,000 Volts by the end of the 2011 calendar year, with another 30,000 units coming in 2012. There will be a relatively slow production ramp up during the first year as the automaker learns to build the Volt as well as well as picking up lessons from cars in the field.

Chevrolet dealers will have to meet some minimum qualifications in order to sell the Volt. For instance, every dealer authorized to sell the Volt will have to maintain at least one demonstrator vehicle in stock so that potential customers can test drive it. Those same dealers will also have to install a 240 volt home charging station so that the cars have a full battery and customers can try it out. Beyond the dealers that sell Volts in the initial retail markets, GM will also assign dealers in other parts of the country to service the Volt if needed.

Unlike the Nissan Leaf, customers will not have to get pre-qualified to buy a Volt by having access to 240 volt home charging. Anyone can walk into a Volt authorized dealer and buy one (assuming they have the money!) even if they live in an apartment. Of course, getting the most out of a Volt will require access to a plug, but that is the customers' choice.


Gallery: 2011 Chevy Volt


[Source: General Motors]

BREAKING: 10,000 Chevrolet Volts in 2011, 30,000 in 2012 originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 01 Jul 2010 16:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2011 chevrolet volt2011 chevy volt2011ChevroletVolt2011ChevyVoltbreakingbreaking newsbreaking+newsBreakingNewschevroletChevrolet VoltChevroletVoltchevychevy voltchevy volt marketingchevy volt productionChevy-VoltChevyVoltChevyVoltMarketingChevyVoltProductiontony disalleTonyDisallevoltThu, 01 Jul 2010 16:29:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19539110/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2010/07/01/breaking-10-000-chevrolet-volts-in-2011-30-000-in-2012/19539110/article-detail.xml 19539110 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2010/05/volt-new-official-pics02-630_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2010/05/volt-new-official-pics02-630.jpg <![CDATA[2011 Chevy Volt appears in order schedule, Job 1 set for November 1]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2010/02/06/2011-chevy-volt-appears-in-order-schedule-job-1-set-for-novembe/http://www.autoblog.com/2010/02/06/2011-chevy-volt-appears-in-order-schedule-job-1-set-for-novembe/http://www.autoblog.com/2010/02/06/2011-chevy-volt-appears-in-order-schedule-job-1-set-for-novembe/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

2011 Chevrolet Volt - Click above for high-res image gallery

Up until now, General Motors has remained deliberately vague in public about the scheduled Job 1 date for Chevrolet Volt production. Given the complexity and new technology involved in the program, the automaker's reluctance is understandable. After all when you don't know what the future holds or what problems will crop up, you don't want to put a misleading date out there, years in advance.

Internal schedules, on the other hand, are something else altogether. Every program needs to have deadlines so that people know how much time and resources to allot for a given task. Those internal gantt charts have undoubtedly had the magic Volt Job 1 date on them for several years. Among the stakeholders that need to when a vehicle will launch are the dealers that have to schedule orders for inventory. Around about this time of year, automakers usually brief dealers on when the current model year vehicles will end production and new ones will start.

With less than ten months to go, GM has set November 1, 2010 as the Chevrolet Volt Job 1 date on the production start list for dealers. By September, dealerships will need to start giving GM an indication of how many Volts they want to order so that the head office can determine allocations. Interestingly, the GM chart indicates that dealers won't know their allocations until two weeks after production starts, and won't be able to start placing orders until then. Typically, those last two items happen about two months before production starts. The timing for the Volt production kickoff is still far enough out that those dates may yet change in the months to come.

A final item of interest is that the Cruze, which was originally slated to launch in April and subsequently pushed back to September, is listed as TBD.


Gallery: Quick Spin: 2011 Chevrolet Volt


Photos Copyright (C)2009 Sam Abuelsamid / Weblogs, Inc.
[Source: GM-Volt.com]

2011 Chevy Volt appears in order schedule, Job 1 set for November 1 originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 06 Feb 2010 17:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2011 chevrolet volt2011 chevy cruze2011 chevy volt2011 chevy volt mileage2011ChevroletVolt2011ChevyCruze2011ChevyVolt2011ChevyVoltMileagechevroletChevrolet Voltchevrolet volt job 1ChevroletVoltChevroletVoltJob1chevychevy voltchevy volt job 1chevy volt productionChevy-VoltChevyVoltChevyVoltJob1ChevyVoltProductionSat, 06 Feb 2010 17:03:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19347680/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2010/02/06/2011-chevy-volt-appears-in-order-schedule-job-1-set-for-novembe/19347680/article-detail.xml 19347680 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/11/2011chevyvolt_qd_000_opt_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/11/2011chevyvolt_qd_000_opt.jpg <![CDATA[REPORT: Initial Chevy Volt launch will be in select U.S. markets only]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/12/01/report-initial-chevy-volt-launch-will-be-in-select-u-s-markets/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/12/01/report-initial-chevy-volt-launch-will-be-in-select-u-s-markets/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/12/01/report-initial-chevy-volt-launch-will-be-in-select-u-s-markets/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

2011 Chevrolet Volt - Click above for high-res image gallery

Undoubtedly, the 2011 Volt is one of the most hotly anticipated new model launches in Chevrolet's long and storied history, and it will likely be seen as a halo model of sorts for General Motors as a whole. As we experienced first hand when we slid behind the wheel of a preproduction Volt the other day, the car is well on its way to becoming a production reality, but actually getting the vehicle into the hands of customers will be another matter entirely.

According to a report from Automotive News, GM is currently in the process of selecting which markets will get first crack at the Volt when it finally goes on sale in just under one year's time. Chevrolet division President Brent Dewar said that the automaker is looking at a number of factors to determine those unannounced target markets, including the existence of an EV charging infrastructure and available tax credits. After this initial launch, the rest of the citizenry will get its chance to see the USA in an electric Chevrolet.


Gallery: Quick Spin: 2011 Chevrolet Volt


[Source: Automotive News - sub. req'd]

REPORT: Initial Chevy Volt launch will be in select U.S. markets only originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 01 Dec 2009 15:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2011 chevrolet volt2011 chevy volt2011ChevroletVolt2011ChevyVoltchevroletChevrolet VoltChevroletVoltchevychevy voltchevy volt launchchevy volt productionChevyVoltChevyVoltLaunchChevyVoltProductionvoltTue, 01 Dec 2009 15:27:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19260364/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2009/12/01/report-initial-chevy-volt-launch-will-be-in-select-u-s-markets/19260364/article-detail.xml 19260364 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/11/2011chevyvolt_qd_000_opt_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/11/2011chevyvolt_qd_000_opt.jpg <![CDATA[Detroit 2009: GM will build Volt battery packs with LG Chem in Michigan]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/01/12/detroit-2009-gm-will-build-volt-battery-packs-with-lg-chem-in-m/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/01/12/detroit-2009-gm-will-build-volt-battery-packs-with-lg-chem-in-m/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/01/12/detroit-2009-gm-will-build-volt-battery-packs-with-lg-chem-in-m/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,



One of the big remaining technical questions for General Motors' Chevrolet Volt has been who the automaker will tap to supply the batteries. LG Chem and A123 Systems are the two companies that have been supplying prototype battery packs for Volt development program. It has long been rumored that South Korea's LG Chem would be selected, and today CEO Rick Wagoner confirmed the selection. Surprisingly though, GM has decided it will take responsibility for actually building the complete packs. GM will also take full responsibility for all the battery management systems and power electronics.

The company will build a new factory in Michigan, but a specific site has yet to be announced, in part because negotiations are ongoing with state and local authorities on the usual incentives and approvals. LG Chem's US subsidiary, Compact Power of Troy, Michigan, has been building the prototype packs for the development vehicles and will continue to provide integration support and act as a liaison for the program.

[Source: General Motors]

Continue reading Detroit 2009: GM will build Volt battery packs with LG Chem in Michigan

Detroit 2009: GM will build Volt battery packs with LG Chem in Michigan originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 12 Jan 2009 10:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>batteriesbatterybreakingchevy voltchevy volt batterychevy volt productionChevyVoltChevyVoltBatteryChevyVoltProductionEVlg chemLgChemVoltMon, 12 Jan 2009 10:29:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/1426967/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2009/01/12/detroit-2009-gm-will-build-volt-battery-packs-with-lg-chem-in-m/1426967/article-detail.xml 1426967 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/01/volt-battery-580_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/01/volt-battery-580.jpg <![CDATA[GM delays Volt engine plant, car still on track]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/12/17/gm-delays-volt-engine-plant/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/12/17/gm-delays-volt-engine-plant/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/12/17/gm-delays-volt-engine-plant/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


Click above for a gallery of the 2011 Chevy Volt

General Motors has said that it won't allow ongoing financial hardships to put a damper on the Chevy Volt development program, but a recent announcement that its plant in Flint, Michigan may be delayed could have cause for some worry. The Flint plant is where the 1.4L four-cylinder engine that will be used as a range-extender in the Volt is scheduled to be built. This plant is also expected to assemble powerplants for the upcoming Chevy Cruze that will replace the aging Cobalt when it goes into production at GM's Lordstown, OH plant in April 2010 as a 2011 model.

Because the Volt and Cruze are still so far away, this plant's delay isn't likely to have any effect on either car's proposed production dates. Regardless, expect to hear plenty of doom and gloom-style news over the next few days regarding the future of The General's new fuel-saving hotness on account of this plant's delay. The reality, though, is that there won't be a Volt program to worry about if GM is unable to keep its doors.

Gallery: 2011 Chevrolet Volt


[Source: AP]

GM delays Volt engine plant, car still on track originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 17 Dec 2008 17:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2010 chevy volt2010ChevyVolt2011 chevy volt2011ChevyVoltchevy voltchevy volt delaychevy volt productionChevyVoltChevyVoltDelayChevyVoltProductionflint michiganFlintMichiganWed, 17 Dec 2008 17:01:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/1404374/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2008/12/17/gm-delays-volt-engine-plant/1404374/article-detail.xml 1404374 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2008/12/chevy_volt_580_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2008/12/chevy_volt_580.jpg <![CDATA[Lutz Update: Volt moves from Malibu to Cruze mules]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/11/21/lutz-update-volt-moves-from-malibu-to-cruze-mules/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/11/21/lutz-update-volt-moves-from-malibu-to-cruze-mules/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/11/21/lutz-update-volt-moves-from-malibu-to-cruze-mules/#commentsFiled under: , , ,



Things are moving along quite nicely with the development of the Chevy Volt. According to Bob Lutz, test mules of the extended-range electric vehicle are now being built atop the soon-to-be-released Chevy Cruze. This is a logical progression since the production Volt will share its Delta underpinnings with the new compact from General Motors when it finally goes on sale in 2010. Prior to these latest mules, the test cars used last-gen Malibu shells that Lutz and the team affectionately referred to as "MaliVolts." Predictably, Mr. Lutz praises the new Delta platform, and we have every reason to believe that it will be leaps and bounds better than its Cobalt forebear, just as that model is light-years ahead of the Cavalier it replaced. Lutz goes on to say that the battery pack, motor and internal combustion engine are all working very well together, even in the freezing cold temperatures around Detroit these days. It all sounds rather promising, though it'd be even better if that first paragraph on the FastLane Blog weren't necessary, right?

[Source: GM FastLane]

Lutz Update: Volt moves from Malibu to Cruze mules originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 21 Nov 2008 17:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bob lutzBobLutzchevy cruzechevy cruze mulechevy voltchevy volt mulechevy volt muleschevy volt productionChevyCruzeChevyCruzeMuleChevyVoltChevyVoltMuleChevyVoltMulesChevyVoltProductiondeltadelta platformDeltaPlatformmalivoltFri, 21 Nov 2008 17:58:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/1379856/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2008/11/21/lutz-update-volt-moves-from-malibu-to-cruze-mules/1379856/article-detail.xml 1379856 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autobloggreen.com/media/2008/11/volt-lutz_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autobloggreen.com/media/2008/11/volt-lutz.jpg <![CDATA[Chevy Volt program is not being delayed ... yet!]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/11/07/chevy-volt-program-is-not-being-delayed-yet/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/11/07/chevy-volt-program-is-not-being-delayed-yet/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/11/07/chevy-volt-program-is-not-being-delayed-yet/#commentsFiled under: ,



You can never be certain about the information you get from fourth-hand, unconfirmed sources. General Motors will be releasing its third quarter financial results this morning, and it will be ugly for sure. Rick Wagoner will also be announcing more cuts that will likely include layoffs among engineering staff. GM is expected to cancel or delay almost all future product plans in an attempt to staunch its current cash burn rate. One of those aforementioned fourth-hand sources told another website last night that the Chevy Volt is among the programs on the chopping block. AutoblogGreen contacted GM's Volt spokesman Rob Peterson, who stated that "there's no truth in that statement whatsoever" regarding the story that appeared on Jalopnik. Chevrolet spokesman Terry Rhadigan also said "I'm not going to respond to specific speculation. The Volt remains a top priority for our Company and there are no changes to the timing of the program." So for now, at least, the Volt is safe.

Gallery: 2011 Chevy Volt - Live Reveal


[Sources: AutoblogGreen, General Motors, Jalopnik]

Chevy Volt program is not being delayed ... yet! originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 07 Nov 2008 09:21:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>breakingbreaking newsbreakingnewschevroletchevrolet voltChevroletVoltchevychevy voltchevy volt productionChevyVoltChevyVoltProductionFri, 07 Nov 2008 09:21:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/1365272/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2008/11/07/chevy-volt-program-is-not-being-delayed-yet/1365272/article-detail.xml 1365272 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2008/11/volt-lead_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2008/11/volt-lead.jpg <![CDATA[With crisis looming, GM may unveil Volt for 100th anniversary]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/07/07/with-crisis-looming-gm-may-unveil-volt-for-100th-anniversary/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/07/07/with-crisis-looming-gm-may-unveil-volt-for-100th-anniversary/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/07/07/with-crisis-looming-gm-may-unveil-volt-for-100th-anniversary/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,



Sales of General Motors' one time cash cow, full-size trucks, are declining faster than the value of the US dollar, but with a birthday coming, GM still wants something to celebrate. This September, the world's largest automaker will be celebrating its centennial under a financial pall unlike any it has faced since its early days under Billy Durant. The car that GM management hopes will represent a new beginning is the Chevrolet Volt, which has been locked in for production for November 2010 and the shape of the production car has reportedly been finalized. The Volt team is apparently planning to unveil the definitive Volt shape as the star of the big party this September.

Early powertrain development mules have been running for several months now and GM insiders claim the lithium ion battery packs are exceeding performance expectations so far. The big question at this point seems to be cost. With everyone focused on GM's cash burn rate, the company is hoping that showing the production version of the extended range electric vehicle will divert attention to something positive. However, without some serious cost reduction of the battery and some hefty tax breaks from the government, the Volt may just end up making things even worse. GM desperately needs the Volt to be successful, but with the current financial situation, one has to wonder how long they will be able to build Volts at a loss?

[Source: Reuters]

With crisis looming, GM may unveil Volt for 100th anniversary originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 07 Jul 2008 16:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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